http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/nigeria-protests-delay-issuance-canadian-visas
The Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, has described as "unacceptable" the delay in the issuance of Canadian visas to Nigerians, saying the process takes a minimum of 45 working days.
The minister, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, said the delay called for a review of the long wait period.
Ashiru, who had earlier summoned the Canadian High Commissioner, Chris Cooter, over the issue, also suggested the use of photocopied passport data page rather than holding applicants' passports during the waiting period
"Rather than holding on to visa applicants' passports, the Mission should make do with photocopies of the data pages, and sighting the passports. Thereafter, the passports can be surrendered to the Mission only at the point of the issuance of visas," Ashiru said.
"This will allow passport holders the opportunity to use their passports for other travels, pending the approval of their visa applications by the Canadian Mission."
The minister, who pointed out the existence of cordial relations between Nigeria and Canada, said the Bi-National Commission between the two countries had paved the way for deepened relations, especially in the economic sector.
In his response, Cooter pledged to report the concerns expressed by Ashiru to the appropriate authorities in Ottawa.
The Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, has described as "unacceptable" the delay in the issuance of Canadian visas to Nigerians, saying the process takes a minimum of 45 working days.
The minister, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, said the delay called for a review of the long wait period.
Ashiru, who had earlier summoned the Canadian High Commissioner, Chris Cooter, over the issue, also suggested the use of photocopied passport data page rather than holding applicants' passports during the waiting period
"Rather than holding on to visa applicants' passports, the Mission should make do with photocopies of the data pages, and sighting the passports. Thereafter, the passports can be surrendered to the Mission only at the point of the issuance of visas," Ashiru said.
"This will allow passport holders the opportunity to use their passports for other travels, pending the approval of their visa applications by the Canadian Mission."
The minister, who pointed out the existence of cordial relations between Nigeria and Canada, said the Bi-National Commission between the two countries had paved the way for deepened relations, especially in the economic sector.
In his response, Cooter pledged to report the concerns expressed by Ashiru to the appropriate authorities in Ottawa.